Minami Katsu's Historic Shanghai Stunner: A Course Record for the Ages!

Shanghai bore witness to an electrifying display of golfing brilliance on Saturday as Japan's Minami Katsu etched her name into the record books at the LPGA Shanghai. Delivering a performance that can only be described as masterful, Katsu fired an astonishing 11-under 61, obliterating the course record at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club and surging to a commanding four-shot lead after the third round.

From the moment she stepped onto the pristine fairways, Katsu was in a league of her own.

Her round was a symphony of precision and power, highlighted by an incredible 11 birdies. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that it was achieved without a single bogey, showcasing a level of focus and execution rarely seen on the professional circuit. Each birdie chipped away at the field, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of excellence that left competitors in awe.

This sensational performance propelled Katsu to an astounding 19-under 197 for the tournament, creating a significant cushion heading into Sunday's decisive final round.

The pressure is now squarely on the shoulders of her closest pursuers, who will need an equally spectacular showing to bridge the gap.

Trailing Katsu by four strokes is the talented Linn Grant, who herself posted a strong 66, but even that wasn't enough to keep pace with Katsu's blistering charge.

Defending champion Xiyu Lin sits a further shot back in third, having carded a 67. The chasing pack also includes Angel Yin and Yu Liu, both tied for fourth at 13-under, highlighting the intense competition at the top of the leaderboard, albeit with Katsu now holding a distinct advantage.

While Katsu has eight impressive victories on the Japan LPGA Tour, her presence at the very top of an LPGA event represents a significant career milestone.

Her previous best round was a 63, achieved twice, and her top LPGA Tour finish was tied for 13th earlier this year at the Meijer LPGA Classic. This 61, however, transcends previous achievements, marking her arrival as a formidable contender on the global stage. It’s a testament to her talent and perseverance, hinting at even greater successes to come.

As the LPGA Shanghai heads into its grand finale, all eyes will be on Minami Katsu.

Can she maintain her composure and close out what would be a career-defining victory, built on the foundation of one of the most memorable rounds in recent LPGA history?